As many as one in six adults struggle to read, and one of the main aims of Quick Reads is to encourage those reticent readers to pick up a book and give it a go. These short but compelling books, packed with big stories, are the perfect way to develop a love of reading.

The 2018 Quick Reads titles in Wales, published by Rily Publications and Y Lolfa, are to be officially launched by Kirsty Williams, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, at the Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay, on Tuesday, 6 March, at 11:30am.

There will be four new titles published this year as part of the initiative, two in Welsh and two in English. They cover a wide range of subjects but all share a thread of inspiration as they reveal how individuals have overcome life’s obstacles. The titles range from a collection of stories about some of Wales' famous – and more unknown – heroes, to the inspiring tale of how Brett Johns has achieved success as an unbeaten MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) champion; from the fascinating and emotional personal story of Katey Pilling's experiences of homelessness, both as a child and as an adult, to an illuminating book that shares triumphant stories of people in Wales who have found creative ways of getting to grips with their dyslexia.

The Quick Reads campaign aims to break down barriers and get Wales reading by producing short, gripping books which are available from libraries, bookshops and online for just £1. The 2018 titles are available now: Arwyr Cymru – Jon Gower; Brett Johns: Ymladdwr – Alun Gibbard and Brett Johns; Words Apart – Llinos Dafydd; and No Place to Call Home – Katey Pilling and Llinos Dafydd. Angharad Sinclair, from the Welsh Books Council, said: "We are delighted with our range of titles this year and look forward to working with our partners over the coming months to get the new books out to our target audiences. Quick Reads are especially written so that they are accessible to everyone. They are perfect for those who want to increase their reading confidence, but are equally suited to those who just want a quick bit of escapism from their busy daily routines! By taking a bite-sized approach to reading we aim to overcome any confidence issues and show that reading can be a fun and inspiring activity for all."